>1.  Bad engine:  $1200 for Cyl head gaskets, $1750 for cyl head gaskets
>with
>cyl heads, $3000 for rebuilt engine.  OVALS in Federal Way "Suspects that
>engine will have to be replaced and will not be able to be repaired."  So
>they
>think the probable figure is: $3000

The big question in my mind is WHY does the entire engine need to be
replaced?  Is the shop that did this evaluation for you competent to
diagnose and evaluate Vanagons?  A complete engine failure at 90k miles is
indicative of very poor maintenance IMO.  It is much more likely that the
heads may be bad and need to be replaced.  That is much less expensive than
replacing the entire engine, obviously.

Heck, my original motor went 170k before the rings and bearings got bad
enough to replace the engine.

I would be suspicious of the $3,000 figure.  A replacement done by a shop
will possibly be more than that with labor.

>2. Front and Rear Shocks: $260

F & R shocks for a 2WD Westy
Bilstien (OEM) about $80 each
KYB - about $30 each
Brazilian cheepies  - about $20 each

I'd say that if it is just the heads, and you can get it for $9,000 then it
would be worthwhile to pursue.  If the engine is actually toast, I would be
very cautious about anything else on the vehicle, since that would indicate
serious neglect in my opnion.  I would not pay more than $5,000-$7,000 if
the engine was actually bad.  (After all, your time and angst is worth
something if you have to go through the hassle of replacing the entire
engine...)

Just my $0.02...

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

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